Cover The Ascentia Sky living room by Mr Shopper Studio, with its signature curved feature wall
The Ascentia Sky living room by Mr Shopper Studio, with its signature curved feature wall
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Tatler+
With a creative mindset and 16 years of interior design experience under his belt, Mr Shopper Studio founder Ken Lee is always aiming to create the most tasteful and personalised interiors for his clients
Bringing 16 years of interior design experience to the table, Ken Lee is well-versed in the craft. As the founder of Singapore-based interior design firm Mr Shopper Studio, he has designed and executed more than 300 projects, ranging from landed houses to apartments and commercial sites.
No matter the project, he’s never lost his creative mindset or his drive to take on an unexpected challenge, always pushing himself to uncover new solutions and craft better interiors for his clients.
We caught up with him to find out more about his approach to spatial design, his favourite projects to date, and some of his greatest lessons and takeaways since embarking on this design journey.
Don’t miss: Home tour: A modern Singapore apartment with a curved living room
Above Ken Lee, founder of Mr Shopper Studio
Ken Lee, founder of Mr Shopper Studio
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Tell us more about your firm and the nature of your work
At Mr Shopper Studio, we provide design consultancy, turnkey solutions, project management, sourcing and furnishing, and finally home styling services. If required, we also advise our clients on shaping the lifestyle they desire while envisioning their living spaces.
How do you define your design philosophy?
I define the Mr Shopper Studio design philosophy by three key principles: storytelling, a user-centric approach, and holistic design. Storytelling encompasses creating designs that tell a story or evoke an emotional response; user-centric design prioritises the needs and goals of the user in the design process; and holistic design considers the entire experience, beyond just the end result.
The living space of the Ascentia Sky unit
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What inspires you in your designs?
I’m inspired by a variety of things: architecture and technology, including emerging trends and innovations; people and their behaviours and desires; and pop culture, including movies, TV shows, and video games.
What’s your personal definition of luxury?
Luxury in my eyes is defined by exclusivity, as well as attention to detail—meticulous consideration of every aspect, from conception to delivery—and personalisation—the tailoring of design to individual tastes, needs, and desires, reflecting one’s personality and style.
A peek at the Ascentia Sky bedroom
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Mr Shopper Studio offers a service you call Interior Personality Analysis. Tell us more about that
The first of its kind in Asia, our Interior Personality Analysis is a design methodology that bridges the client’s vision of their dream home and their lifestyle. For many of our clients, choosing a design with the best aesthetic value and one that caters to their lifestyle without compromising functionality and safety is challenging.
To help our clients and our interior designers easily identify the requirements of each design, we created this Interior Personality Analysis. It helps clients better decide which styles, themes, and elements they relate to the most and would like to see reflected in their homes.
This personalised interior design methodology has been a trademark practice of Mr Shopper Studio since 2015 and has resulted in more accurate design plans that capture clients’ visions of their dream homes.
The dark interiors of this Riviere unit capture the spirit of an urban sanctuary
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Can you tell us about some of your proudest projects to date?
One project I’d like to highlight is the Riviere, a condominium unit completed in 2023. We designed this unit as a luxurious metropolitan sanctuary within the Singapore skyline, with an open layout and a contemporary, dark-toned interior that captures its urban setting. The design harmonises with the city’s vibrant energy while functioning as a serene retreat.
It’s also a home away from home for the client while they’re not staying at their place in Palo Alto, California. We curated the furniture and lighting with sleek lines and modern silhouettes, including pieces from Space Furniture, BoConcept, and The Beuro.
Read more: Ask the designers: How to create a social kitchen made for entertaining
The pared-back Riviere bedroom
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Another proud project is Regency Park, a larger condominium apartment completed the same year. The unit was tailored to a family seeking both elegance and functionality, and it blends modern aesthetics with luxurious accents. The space was meticulously crafted to serve as a warm and inviting environment for gatherings, reflecting the family’s long-term residency needs.
Key features of the design include a spacious open-plan layout that seamlessly integrates living, dining, and entertainment areas. High-end materials such as marble, plush fabrics, and sleek metals are harmoniously combined to create a sense of opulence while maintaining practicality. We integrated a smart lighting system, a bar counter from Dekton, cabinetry from Lamitak, and luxurious bathroom fittings from Toto, Hansgrohe and Gessi.
The spacious Regency Park living area
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Ascentia Sky is another favourite condominium unit in our portfolio. This was a resale unit purchased by a couple who required more space, requesting a modern environment with clean lines, minimal clutter and plenty of natural light. We curated unique features such as hidden doorways, integrated fittings for streamlined spaces, and a curved feature wall to lend the living area an added sense of depth and a futuristic touch.
A neutral palette with some contrasting wallpaper opens up the interior, enhanced by gold and glass accents and marbled sintered stone to add character.
In case you missed it: Meet the Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024 winners from Singapore
The Regency Park bathroom
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10 years after founding your firm, what are some of your greatest lessons and takeaways?
I believe trust and value propositions lead to a successful project. A client who appreciates the value that an interior designer brings to the table will lead to a better end result and a more pleasant experience throughout the entire design journey. It’s key to trust the professional and let them handle your dream home for you.
Above More of the condominium unit’s luxurious detailing
Above The apartment’s carefully curated lighting and artwork
More of the condominium unit’s luxurious detailing
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Credits
Images: Courtesy of Mr Shopper Studio
